Revised building energy directive proposed

All buildings in Europe undergoing a major renovation would have to meet minimum national energy efficiency standards under a European commission proposal tabled on Thursday.  The revision of the EU's 2002 energy performance of buildings directive was announced as part of a wide-ranging package of measures on energy.

The proposal closely follows an earlier draft (EED 09/10/08).  The commission wants to scrap a 1,000 square metre threshold above which existing buildings undergoing major refurbishment must meet minimum national standards.  It proposes to introduce comparative benchmarking between member states to drive up these standards.